Grand Seiko SBGH273 Review – Gaze into the Clear Night Skies

When I think of fall, I typically think of burnt oranges, reds, and golden yellows. So, if someone told me they were creating a watch inspired by autumn, I’d be surprised to see a watch with a navy blue dial. 

But alas, Grand Seiko has always been a luxury watchmaker full of surprises, and their Grand Seiko Heritage SBGH273 watch, a timepiece inspired by Shunbun, the sixteenth of the twenty-four sekki or seasons which falls around the time of the autumn equinox, is one of the same. The design reveals a beautiful navy blue dial evoking the hue of a clear autumn night sky, and let me tell you, this is yet another Grand Seiko dial worth seeing in person.

The Grand Seiko Seasons Collection

The Grand Seiko Seasons collection, the family of watches that houses the Grand Seiko Heritage SBGH273 watch, first made its debut in 2019. But, for some of us, there was a catch – it was exclusive only to the U.S. market. Thankfully, for those of us living across the water, the collection was finally made available globally in 2021 and has ever since become a special edition staple in the Japanese watchmaker’s portfolio.

If you know anything about Grand Seiko, it’s that they’re masters of craftsmanship with a knack for creating watches that are basically works of art. They’re best known for drawing inspiration from Japan’s rich natural landscapes and cultural traditions, infusing these elements into their designs. The Seasons Collection is a perfect example of this, featuring dials that are nothing short of breathtaking, inspired by one of the 24 “sekki” in Japan’s seasonal calendar. 

The original Grand Seiko Seasons collection included four watches, each representing a different sekki. You’ve got the SBGA415 “Taisetsu,” which captures the peaceful stillness of winter with its frosty dial, and the SBGA413 “Shunbun,” a pink-hued ode to the fleeting beauty of sakura blossoms in spring. Then there’s the SBGH271 “Rikka,” a lush green homage to early summer’s fresh breeze. 

And then, there’s the Grand Seiko Heritage SBGH273 “Shubun.” This is the model I’m lucky to be reviewing today, and according to Grand Seiko, it is designed to channel the crisp, clear beauty of a moonlit autumn night, “tsukiyo,” with a dial that feels like a quiet evening. Boy, I’m excited to take this one for a test drive.

A 40mm Steel Case

I’ve often found that some of the most beautiful watch cases are those done by Grand Seiko. It’s because their cases are created in-house, by hand, and not shopped for by some external supplier like so many watch brands do (which ultimately leads to all watch cases looking the same). 

In this instance, the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273’s case is housed in stainless steel, not just any steel, but completely hand-finished steel that is treated to the company’s Zaratsu polishing. 

This is a technique that results in a stunning mirror-like finish. I’m not talking just a quick buff; it’s a process that is painstaking and can take craftsmen about three years to master. But the result is worth it. It’s a case with surfaces so smooth and reflective that it could work as a mirror on the wrist. It works perfectly on a watch like this that blurs the line between a dress watch and a sports watch. 

The case’s shape is modeled after the iconic 62GS, Seiko’s first automatic watch from 1967. The 62GS was groundbreaking, featuring a bezel-less design that focused attention squarely on the dial—something that’s beautifully echoed in the SBGH273. The sleek, angled profile of the case is pure eye candy, drawing you in with its simplicity. 

Size-wise, it has a diameter of 40mm, a lug-to-lug length of 47mm, and a thickness of 12.9mm. It strikes that sweet spot between too small and too large and becomes one of those rare pieces that will fit comfortably on just about any wrist. It looks great on my relatively small frame, and I have no doubt it will look just as good on wrists as large as 7.5 inches – especially if you like the look of smaller, vintage-esque timepieces. 

The box-shaped sapphire crystal set on top adds further vintage flair by mimicking the look of old-school plexiglass while providing modern durability with an anti-reflective coating on the inner surface for a nice touch of legibility. Speaking of durability, this is a sports watch at heart. 

With a 100-meter water resistance rating, the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 should be able to handle most of daily life’s encounters. While reviewing this model, it handled light rain and washing dishes perfectly fine. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to take it swimming but it should handle shallow waters easily too. 

The screw-down crown, neatly positioned at 3 o’clock, assists in the water resistance keeping a closed seal between the case and the outside world. It’s gently knurled for easy grip and proudly features the GS logo in relief. Flip it over, and you’ll find a screw-down case back with a see-through sapphire crystal window, offering a glimpse into the movement inside. 

The Deepest Blue Dial 

I’ve seen many navy blue dials in my time. It’s one of the most common dial colors on the market – and for good reason. It’s a color that works well with basically any outfit or occasion, but I have to be honest, after a while, navy blue can get a little boring. But with the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 watch, I am anything but bored. This might just be one of the deepest and richest blue shades out there. I have no idea how Grand Seiko achieved the color, but it honestly truly resembles that super deep shade of blue you see in the sky in the evening.

As mentioned in the introduction, the dial color is inspired by the clear night skies that Japan enjoys at Shubun, the sixteenth of the twenty-four sekki or seasons that fall around the time of the autumn equinox. Like the case, the dial is hand-finished and boasts a beautiful selection of hardware and a special texture on the dial’s main surface. 

I have to be honest; this might be one of the hardest Grand Seiko dial textures to describe – please go see this model in person at your nearest authorized Grand Seiko retailer if you can. The best way I can describe it is as a subtly-grained finish, almost like a light dusting of fog or clouds. 

It’s a subtle effect but one that works all too well with the simplicity of the rest of the design. As for dial furniture, Grand Seiko utilizes their familiar sharp hands for the hours and minutes with brushed detailing and faceted, hand-applied hour markers with both polished and brushed finishing. 

For a brilliant touch of contrast, and one that echoes the way that moon and stars illuminate the sky at night, the seconds hand is done in yellow gold. This adds a warm and luxurious touch to the dial. To match, the GS logo at 12 o’clock is also done in the same metal. 

The only other points of reference on the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 watch’s dial are the date window at 3 o’clock, handsomely outlined with its own silvered border, and the white printing used for the Grand Seiko logo at 12 o’clock and the lettering at 6 o’clock. The latter notes details about the in-house movement working hard inside.

A Hi-Beat Movement

The Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 watch is powered by the Caliber 9S85, a standout in Grand Seiko’s lineup of 9S hi-beat movements. This caliber operates at an impressive 36,000 vibrations per hour (5Hz) and boasts 37 jewels, providing reliable time and date functionality.

True to Grand Seiko’s rigorous standards, the Caliber 9S85 surpasses even the stringent COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) regulations. It’s meticulously adjusted in six different positions in Grand Seiko’s own factory and tested to ensure accuracy within -3/+5 seconds per day. 

The movement’s impressive reliability is largely due to the Spron 610 hairspring, which Grand Seiko claims offers three times the resistance to electromagnetic frequencies and twice the shock resistance compared to its predecessors.

With a robust 55-hour power reserve, the Caliber 9S85 not only performs exceptionally but also looks stunning when admired off the wrist. The movement features Zaratsu-polished plates and bridges, delivering a mirror-like finish that complements the watch’s case beautifully. Additionally, the Geneva stripes on the rotor and perlage on the mainplate add to its visual allure.

We understand that most of you shopping for a Grand Seiko watch might be leaning more towards one powered by their Spring Drive movement. It’s understandable; these provide higher levels of accuracy and, of course, that signature smooth sweeping seconds hand. That said, I do believe the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat series deserves equal recognition- especially when it’s packaged in a watch as beautiful as this.

A Metal Bracelet

The Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 comes with a stainless steel bracelet that matches the case finishing nicely. It features staggered link sizes and alignment, giving it a sporty yet stylish look. The bracelet is mostly brushed steel but with some polished accents in the center links that add a touch of elegance and break up the design nicely.

That said, the bracelet is probably the weakest link in this otherwise stellar watch. It’s not ugly by any means, but for a watch made to this standard, it’s a shame to see it lacks any sort of micro-adjustment. Without micro-adjustment, it’s tricky to get the perfect fit, especially since our wrists can swell and contract throughout the day. On the plus side, it does have adjustable half links with screws which can make a big difference in securing a close fit.

The bracelet’s 21mm lug width may also make finding alternative straps a challenge. I’d love to see the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 on a deep navy alligator or calfskin leather strap—something that would really complement the dial. The only snag? Matching the depth of the dial’s navy blue in a strap isn’t going to be easy. 

Luckily, changing straps won’t be a problem because the watch has drilled lugs, which makes swapping out straps a breeze. The bracelet itself has a single-fold deployment clasp that’s both satin and polished, with the GS logo embossed on the outside.

On-Wrist Experience

The Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 wears exceptionally well on the wrist, thanks to its thoughtfully balanced dimensions. With a diameter of 40mm, a lug-to-lug length of 47mm, and a thickness of 12.9mm, this watch straddles the line between a sports watch and a dress watch. The deep navy dial and Zaratsu polished finish give it a refined, dressy appearance, while the substantial thickness and robust build suggest a sports watch pedigree.

For those with wrists as small as 6.5 inches, you will find this watch comfortable and stylish. It’s large enough to make a statement without being overwhelming. And honestly, if you have wrists even smaller than this, and you’re like me and you love an oversized watch, it might still look great. 

On the flip side, those with wrists up to 7.5 or even 8 inches will find this watch to be a versatile and elegant choice, particularly if you favor more compact-sized timepieces. I do wish the watch were a touch slimmer, though so it would be easier to slip under tight shirt cuffs, but that’s a minor trade-off for the automatic movement inside.

Price & Availability

The Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 is priced at $6,300 when purchased from authorized Grand Seiko retailers, like Exquisite Timepieces. If you’re considering the second-hand market, you can typically find it for around $4,500 to $5,000. However, it’s crucial to do your homework before buying from gray market dealers. Opting for an authorized retailer ensures you receive a certified warranty and a genuine watch.

While this model is a special edition, it’s not limited, so there’s no immediate rush to buy. That said, the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273 has been around since 2019, so it’s worth keeping in mind that it might be discontinued sooner rather than later. So, if it is a watch you’re seriously interested in, don’t wait if you don’t have to.

Conclusion

If you couldn’t already tell from this review, I really love the Grand Seiko Heritage Shunbun SBGH273. It’s a beautiful watch and another with press images that don’t do it justice. Online, it looks like any typical navy-dialed dress watch – and there are plenty of them out there. But in person, and on my wrist, it has really impressed me. The case finishing is immaculate, with the mirror-polished capturing just as much attention as the dial.

But truthfully, the dial is the real star. The tone of navy blue is beautiful; it’s a deep, intense shade of blue that I’ve never seen before, and it works all too well with the gold accents on the dial’s hardware. I also love the subtle texture. It brings this wonderful level of light play to the wrist, taking it from royal blue to almost black depending on the angle and light you hold it in. The only drawback is the bracelet, which I wish had micro adjustment but honestly, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to take for a watch this beautiful.